Free Press Summer Fest 2014 concert lineup

See who's performing at this year's iconic festival

By By Andrew Dansby, Craig Hlavaty and Andrea Waguespack

Photo: Eric Kayne

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It's music to your ears: Free Press Summer Fest is around the corner. On May 31-June 1, Eleanor Tinsley Park near downtown will be the setting for one of Houston's most-anticipated events of the year. Here's a pro tip: don't walk in there without a plan. Not looking at the lineup could mean missing your favorite band's performance. Keep clicking to see what time this year's acts are taking the stage.

Welcome to Houston:Saturday, May 31 at 6:10 p.m.Neptune StageThis newly-formed group will feature several big names from the Bayou City's rap scene, including local superstars Bun-B (pictured), Slim Thug, Devin the Dude, Z-Ro, Paul Wall, and Mike Jones. less

It's music to your ears: Free Press Summer Fest is around the corner. On May 31-June 1, Eleanor Tinsley Park near downtown will be the setting for one of Houston's most-anticipated events of the year. Here's a ... more

Jack White: Sunday, June 1 at 8:40 p.m.Mars StageThe long, tall rocker is bringing his solo act to Houston,
which he hasn't ventured to since a May 2010 Dead Weather gig at the House Of
Blues. Will he melt in the Houston sun? The betting starts now.

Jack White:
Sunday, June 1 at 8:40 p.m.
Mars Stage
The long, tall rocker is bringing his solo act to Houston, which he hasn't ventured to since a May 2010 Dead Weather gig at the House Of Blues. Will he melt in ... more

Vampire Weekend: Saturday, May 31 at 9 p.m.Mars StageThe New York act is now three albums deep into their career, which has been marked with high art and high pop, and music that bites from The Strokes and Paul Simon at equal turns. We suggest a boat drink for this set. less

Vampire Weekend:Saturday, May 31 at 9 p.m.
Mars Stage
The New York act is now three albums deep into their career, which has been marked with high art and high pop, and music that bites from The Strokes and Paul ... more

Lauryn Hill: Sunday, June 1 at 4:50 p.m.Mars StageFest organizer Omar Afra is very excited about Ms. Lauryn Hill, who made a big splash last week closing out The Late Show with David Letterman's Beatles Week with a cover of the Fab’s “Something”. The former Fugees front woman has had some setbacks but she seems poised to have a wonderful 2014 if she stays the course. less

Lauryn Hill:
Sunday, June 1 at 4:50 p.m.
Mars StageFest organizer Omar Afra is very excited about Ms. Lauryn Hill, who made a big splash last week closing out The Late Show with David Letterman's Beatles Week ... more

Zedd: Saturday, May 31 at 8:40 p.m.Saturn StageThe 24-year-old Zedd is one of the most in-demand DJ acts out there right now and will fit in well with the fest's youth movement of neon-clad girls and boys.

Zedd:
Saturday, May 31 at 8:40 p.m.
Saturn StageThe 24-year-old Zedd is one of the most in-demand DJ acts out there right now and will fit in well with the fest's youth movement of neon-clad girls and boys.

Dwight Yoakam:Saturday, May 31 at 5:20 p.m.Mars Stage You know what we like about Dwight? He gets older and his tight
jeans stay the same age. The renaissance man should school some youngsters in
twang this year on the lawn.

Dwight Yoakam:Saturday, May 31 at 5:20 p.m.
Mars Stage
You know what we like about Dwight? He gets older and his tight jeans stay the same age. The renaissance man should school some youngsters in twang this ... more

Childish Gambino: Saturday, May 31 at 7:10 p.m.Mars Stage After three years as an actor and comedian Donald Glover released “Camp,” an album that suggested his side career in hip-hop was serious. He followed it last year with “Because the Internet.” less

Childish Gambino:Saturday, May 31 at 7:10 p.m.
Mars Stage
After three years as an actor and comedian Donald Glover released “Camp,” an album that suggested his side career in hip-hop was serious. He ... more

The Deftones:Saturday, May 31 at 8 p.m.Neptune StageThe Deftones probably don't fit into your conception of what Summer Fest is, but they are crazy beloved and behind every stoic hipster is someone whose first taste of rock was probably their landmark White Pony album. This set should unite more than a few scenes. less

The Deftones:Saturday, May 31 at 8 p.m.
Neptune Stage
The Deftones probably don't fit into your conception of what Summer Fest is, but they are crazy beloved and behind every stoic hipster is someone whose first ... more

Cage The Elephant:Sunday, June 1 at 5:50 p.m.Neptune Stage Kentucky's Cage The Elephant has staked out a pretty cherry
spot as one of the most dependable modern rock bands on a festival circuit
populated by DJs and pale indie acts. Radio loves them too. less

Cage The Elephant:Sunday, June 1 at 5:50 p.m.
Neptune Stage
Kentucky's Cage The Elephant has staked out a pretty cherry spot as one of the most dependable modern rock bands on a festival circuit populated by ... more

The Kills:Sunday, June 1 at 4:50 p.m.Saturn StageAlison Mosshart and Jamie Hince make up The Kills, a witchy
two-piece known for Mosshart's Janis-Joplin-from-Hell theatrics and their
weird, sexy, black leather ballads. Mosshart is also in The Dead Weather with
Jack White, so maybe there will be a secret DW show somewhere in town? We can
all dream. less

The Kills:Sunday, June 1 at 4:50 p.m.
Saturn Stage
Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince make up The Kills, a witchy two-piece known for Mosshart's Janis-Joplin-from-Hell theatrics and their weird, sexy, ... more

Die Antwoord: Sunday, June 1 at 6:40 p.m.Saturn Stage Don't be surprised if Ninja and Yo-landi ViSSer of Die Antwoord turn in the most WTF set of the weekend. We would link to their videos, but we hear this is a family paper. less

Die Antwoord:
Sunday, June 1 at 6:40 p.m.
Saturn Stage Don't be surprised if Ninja and Yo-landi ViSSer of Die Antwoord turn in the most WTF set of the weekend. We would link to their videos, but we hear this is ... more

Big Gigantic:Saturday, May 31 at 6:50 p.m.Saturn Stage Funk, dubstep and hip-hop are always at the forefront of this Boulder, Colo. duo, saxophonist and producer Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken. The pair is promoting last year's "Nocturnal." The incorporation of live music, laptop triggered grooves and visuals is among the most exciting of the EDM world. less

Big Gigantic:Saturday, May 31 at 6:50 p.m.
Saturn Stage
Funk, dubstep and hip-hop are always at the forefront of this Boulder, Colo. duo, saxophonist and producer Dominic Lalli and drummer Jeremy Salken. The ... more

Chvrches:Saturday, May 31 at 4:30 p.m.Neptune Stage Electro-pop band from Scotland
recently played here at House of Blues. Singer Lauren Mayberry’s pixie-ish
voice floats on a cloud of ‘80s-inspired synth by Iain Cook and Martin Doherty. less

Chvrches:Saturday, May 31 at 4:30 p.m.
Neptune Stage
Electro-pop band from Scotland recently played here at House of Blues. Singer Lauren Mayberry’s pixie-ish voice floats on a cloud of ‘80s-inspired ... more

DMX: Sunday, June 1 at 3:10 p.m.Mercury Stage Now that his boxing match with George
Zimmerman has been cancelled, the gravel-voiced rapper can get back to what he
does best: barking out gnarled rhymes.

DMX:Sunday, June 1 at 3:10 p.m.
Mercury Stage
Now that his boxing match with George Zimmerman has been cancelled, the gravel-voiced rapper can get back to what he does best: barking out gnarled rhymes.

tUnE-yArDs:Sunday, June 1 at 3:50 p.m.Neptune StageMerrill Garbus’ music defies easy categorization. She tends to loop drums and vocals to dizzying effect, adding ukulele and what seems like a dozen different voices — from a soulful growl to a cutesy croon — to the mix. less

tUnE-yArDs:Sunday, June 1 at 3:50 p.m.
Neptune Stage
Merrill Garbus’ music defies easy categorization. She tends to loop drums and vocals to dizzying effect, adding ukulele and what seems like a dozen ... more

Laidback Luke:Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m.Mercury StageIf you were born Lucas Cornelis van Scheppingen wouldn’t you come up with a stage name? The popular Netherlands-raised DJ found a stage name that rolled easier off the tongue. less

Laidback Luke:Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m.
Mercury Stage
If you were born Lucas Cornelis van Scheppingen wouldn’t you come up with a stage name? The popular Netherlands-raised DJ found a stage name that rolled ... more

Washed Out:Sunday, June 1 at 2:10 p.m.Neptune StageGeorgia native Ernest Greene
makes dreamy electro-pop music that often feels like a pleasant nap on a
drifting cloud as evidenced by the new “Paracosm.” less

Washed Out:Sunday, June 1 at 2:10 p.m.
Neptune Stage
Georgia native Ernest Greene makes dreamy electro-pop music that often feels like a pleasant nap on a drifting cloud as evidenced by the new ... more

Drive-By Truckers:Sunday, June 1 at 3:10 p.m.Saturn StageA scorching live act, the Truckers tend to have a front line of three guitars and dark and dirty songs about the South. They’re plugging the new “English Oceans.” less

Drive-By Truckers:Sunday, June 1 at 3:10 p.m.
Saturn Stage
A scorching live act, the Truckers tend to have a front line of three guitars and dark and dirty songs about the South. They’re plugging the ... more

Ying Yang Twins:Saturday, May 31 at 5:50 p.m.Mercury StageAtlanta hip-hop duo first got noticed when they assisted on Lil’ Jon’s “Get Low,” before finding success on their own in 2005 with their album “Me & My Brother.” less

Ying Yang Twins:Saturday, May 31 at 5:50 p.m.
Mercury Stage
Atlanta hip-hop duo first got noticed when they assisted on Lil’ Jon’s “Get Low,” before finding success on their own in 2005 with their album ... more

Paper Diamond: Saturday, May 31 at 4:10 p.m.Mercury Stage Paper Diamond is the stage name of Alexander Botwin, an electronic musician and producer who put his “Levitate” album out on Pretty Lights Music.

Paper Diamond:Saturday, May 31 at 4:10 p.m.
Mercury Stage
Paper Diamond is the stage name of Alexander Botwin, an electronic musician and producer who put his “Levitate” album out on Pretty Lights Music.

King Khan and The Shrines:Saturday, May 31 at 7:10 p.m.Venus Stage Put a mask on Arish Ahmad Khan and you get King Khan, leader in music and mayhem of this skin-baring soulful psychedelic garage pop band.

King Khan and The Shrines:Saturday, May 31 at 7:10 p.m.
Venus Stage
Put a mask on Arish Ahmad Khan and you get King Khan, leader in music and mayhem of this skin-baring soulful psychedelic garage pop band.

Photo: Courtesy Photos

King Khan and The Shrines: Saturday, May 31 at 7:10 p.m. Venus... Photo-3383163.79761 - Houston Chronicle

The Oh Hellos: Sunday, June 1 at 1:30 p.m.Mars Stage This eclectic folk rock Texas-native band is the brainchild of siblings Tyler and Maggie Heath. It's not your average folk band: this group's soulful sound with a hint of old-world Irish flavor sets them apart from the competition. less

The Oh Hellos:Sunday, June 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Mars Stage
This eclectic folk rock Texas-native band is the brainchild of siblings Tyler and Maggie Heath. It's not your average folk band: this group's soulful sound ... more

Shakey Graves: Sunday, June 1 at 6:40 p.m.Venus StageAlejandro Rose-Garcia is a one-man band and he creates a storm of sound with just his expressive vocals, an acoustic guitar and a homemade kick drum based around an old suitcase. less

Shakey Graves:Sunday, June 1 at 6:40 p.m.
Venus Stage
Alejandro Rose-Garcia is a one-man band and he creates a storm of sound with just his expressive vocals, an acoustic guitar and a homemade kick drum based ... more

Robert DeLong:Sunday, June 1 at 7:40 p.m.Jupiter Stage DeLong got his start drumming in indie rock bands, but more recently moved into electronic music, where his percussive roots find their way to the surface. less

Robert DeLong:Sunday, June 1 at 7:40 p.m.
Jupiter Stage
DeLong got his start drumming in indie rock bands, but more recently moved into electronic music, where his percussive roots find their way to the ... more

Uh Huh Her:Saturday, May 31 at 3:40 p.m.Venus Stage The icy girl-girl duo Uh Huh Her release their third LP in March. Their music is suited for the club and the gym alike, but you are probably too cool for both. less

Uh Huh Her:Saturday, May 31 at 3:40 p.m.
Venus Stage
The icy girl-girl duo Uh Huh Her release their third LP in March. Their music is suited for the club and the gym alike, but you are probably too cool for ... more

Jana Hunter:Sunday, June 1 at 2:10 p.m.Mercury Stage Houston native Jana Hunter is one the reigning mistresses of dark, surreal pop. Imagine if David Bowie was never glam and stayed in Berlin for good. That's Jana Hunter. less

Jana Hunter:Sunday, June 1 at 2:10 p.m.
Mercury Stage
Houston native Jana Hunter is one the reigning mistresses of dark, surreal pop. Imagine if David Bowie was never glam and stayed in Berlin for good. That's ... more

Tontons:Saturday, May 31 at 2:10 p.m.Mars StageOne of the hardest working bands in Houston, The Tontons release their latest album, "Make Out King and Other Stories of Love" on February 18. You probably know them from every stage in town, and lead singer Asli Omar's voice is aging nicely into a downright formidable force of nature. less

Tontons:Saturday, May 31 at 2:10 p.m.
Mars Stage
One of the hardest working bands in Houston, The Tontons release their latest album, "Make Out King and Other Stories of Love" on February 18. You probably know ... more

Wrestlers (formerly Bagheera)Sunday, June 1 at 12:10 p.m.Mars Stage Wrestler's Aidan Kennedy is 21 and already has a career's worth of gigging behind it seems. He's got lots of steam under him now, he's not careful he could find himself headlining this festival himself next year. less

Wrestlers (formerly Bagheera)
Sunday, June 1 at 12:10 p.m.
Mars Stage Wrestler's Aidan Kennedy is 21 and already has a career's worth of gigging behind it seems. He's got lots of steam under him now, he's not ... more

Wild Moccasins: Saturday, May 31 at 1 p.m.Mars StageThe Moccs recently released a new album "88-92" and have been getting lots of attention for their evolving sound. Their FPSF sets are always colorful affairs. In 2010 they played on the main stage during a rainstorm next to the storied paint slide. less

Wild Moccasins:Saturday, May 31 at 1 p.m.
Mars Stage
The Moccs recently released a new album "88-92" and have been getting lots of attention for their evolving sound. Their FPSF sets are always colorful affairs. ... more

Venomous Maximus:Sunday, June 1 at 12:10 p.m.Venus Stage Houston's modern metal ambassadors, Venomous Maximus had a great 2013, touring with Down and garnering a host of metal press accolades from around the world. In 2014 they plan on more extensive touring and even a new LP. less

Venomous Maximus:Sunday, June 1 at 12:10 p.m.
Venus Stage
Houston's modern metal ambassadors, Venomous Maximus had a great 2013, touring with Down and garnering a host of metal press accolades from ... more

Wild Party: Saturday, May 31 at 12:10 p.m.Neptune Stage San Antonio quartet Wild Party -- not to be confused with Houston's gristly Weird Party -- has been making inroads in Houston but this will be their biggest stage in the Bayou City so far. Imagine France's Phoenix, but without the pomp. less

Wild Party:
Saturday, May 31 at 12:10 p.m.
Neptune Stage San Antonio quartet Wild Party -- not to be confused with Houston's gristly Weird Party -- has been making inroads in Houston but this will be ... more

BLSHS: Saturday, May 31 at 1 p.m.Mercury StageHouston-based synth-pop trio, BLSHS (pronounced "blushes") has a futurist-yet-80s-tastic sound. In other words, if you ever wanted to know what people probably jam out to on spaceships, then give this band a listen. less

BLSHS:Saturday, May 31 at 1 p.m.
Mercury Stage
Houston-based synth-pop trio, BLSHS (pronounced "blushes") has a futurist-yet-80s-tastic sound. In other words, if you ever wanted to know what people probably jam ... more

Children of Pop: Saturday, May 31 at noonMercury Stage This upbeat band is a mix-matched, hodge-podge collection of several styles of music. You can try to pick out the genres if you really want to, but your best bet is to just sit back and enjoy. less

Children of Pop:Saturday, May 31 at noon
Mercury Stage
This upbeat band is a mix-matched, hodge-podge collection of several styles of music. You can try to pick out the genres if you really want to, but your ... more

Los Skarnales:Saturday, May 31 at 12:30 p.m.Jupiter StageGoing on over 20 years of existence, Los Skarnales are known to smoke crowds into fantastic punk-mex boogie. Local legends, check. Ridiculously catchy, check.

Los Skarnales:Saturday, May 31 at 12:30 p.m.
Jupiter Stage
Going on over 20 years of existence, Los Skarnales are known to smoke crowds into fantastic punk-mex boogie. Local legends, check. Ridiculously catchy, ... more

New York City Queens:Sunday, June 1 at 11:30 a.m.Neptune StageThe NYCQ's 2012 album "Burn Out Like Roman Candles" put them on the map here and in the music blog world. In 2014 they strike again with new material. less

New York City Queens:Sunday, June 1 at 11:30 a.m.
Neptune Stage
The NYCQ's 2012 album "Burn Out Like Roman Candles" put them on the map here and in the music blog world. In 2014 they strike again with new ... more

Photo: Photo By Tyler Casper

New York City Queens: Sunday, June 1 at 11:30 a.m. Neptune... Photo-5266746.79761 - Houston Chronicle

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DJ Gracie Chavez:Sunday, June 1 at 11:10 a.m.Jupiter Stage Chavez's tropical dance parties are some of the most popular in the city, bringing together co-eds in neon to hip-hop heads in Jordans.

DJ Gracie Chavez:Sunday, June 1 at 11:10 a.m.
Jupiter Stage
Chavez's tropical dance parties are some of the most popular in the city, bringing together co-eds in neon to hip-hop heads in Jordans.

Make:Sunday, June 1 at 1 p.m.Jupiter StageThis psych rock-meets-metal band, which hails from Chappel Hill, N.C., both comforts and scares you all at the same time. The band goes from trippy to dark and back again, all in the same song. less

Make:Sunday, June 1 at 1 p.m.
Jupiter Stage
This psych rock-meets-metal band, which hails from Chappel Hill, N.C., both comforts and scares you all at the same time. The band goes from trippy to dark and back ... more

Grand Old Grizzly: Sunday, June 1 at 12:30 p.m.Saturn StageThis Houston quartet is a littl bit county, a little bit rock and roll. No, really: this band blends together country, rock, folk, and indie music to create a fun, colorful sound. less

Grand Old Grizzly:Sunday, June 1 at 12:30 p.m.
Saturn Stage
This Houston quartet is a littl bit county, a little bit rock and roll. No, really: this band blends together country, rock, folk, and indie music to ... more

iLL LiaD:Saturday, May 31 at 11:50 a.m.Saturn StageIt's safe to say music isn't Greek to this group. With a name stemming from an ancient tragedy, you just know this local hip-hop/rap artist has quite a story to tell. less

iLL LiaD:Saturday, May 31 at 11:50 a.m.
Saturn Stage
It's safe to say music isn't Greek to this group. With a name stemming from an ancient tragedy, you just know this local hip-hop/rap artist has quite a story ... more